Analysis How a new Baluch militant coalition raises pressure on Iran-Pakistan border Iran's military standoff with the US may be creating opportunities for Baluch groups to launch operations from the mountainous, sparsely populated frontier region with Pakistan. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis As Iran regime marks 200 days of war, is it also preparing for dissent? Seven months into the war with the US, Iranian authorities staged a pro-government mobilization in Tehran, combining patriotic spectacle with a carefully calibrated demonstration aimed for domestic internal security capacity. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. Iran
China presses Iran, US to reopen Hormuz as disruptions threaten oil supply Conflicts in the region are disrupting two key routes for oil bound for China, with Iranian crude affected by the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi shipments facing growing risks in the Red Sea. Iran
Newsletter: Business & Tech Saudi oil squeeze deepens By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Exclusive Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: FutureVerse Middle East confronts AI risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
TV Presenter in Turkey Loses Job Over Cleavage After AKP spokesman Huseyin Celik objected to TV presenter Gozde Kansu’s décolleté dress, her contract was suspended, raising eyebrows over Turkey's human rights record. Turkey
Is Iran Changing Its Policies In Syria, Lebanon? While eyes are on the Oct. 15-16 nuclear talks in Geneva, Iranian policies in Lebanon and Syria may already be showing a more moderate trend under President Hassan Rouhani. Lebanon
London, Tehran Take Historic First Step to Rebuilding Ties A further upgrade in bilateral relations between Iran and the United Kingdom will require action by the Iranian parliament. Iran
Rabinovitch Says Israel Benefits From US-Russia Deal on Syria Former Israeli ambassador to the US, Itamar Rabinovich, says Israel benefited from the chemical weapons agreement with Syria, but warns of a weakening US position relative to Russia in the region. Israel
Iranians React With Anger To Netanyahu Comments While many Western-oriented Iranians mocked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about Iranians not having access to blue jeans, others seemed most angered by his threats to bomb Iran and push for more sanctions. Israel
Iran Shifts to Lower Gear In Privatization A change of management at the Iran Privatization Organization is the reason for a new focus geared to improved productivity and efficiency. Iran
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Worried By Possible US-Iran Entente Islamic Jihad is quietly concerned that improved US-Iran relations might result in Tehran rethinking its approach to the Palestinian cause. Palestine
The enigma of Qasem Soleimani and his role in Iraq Al-Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, profiled in last month's New Yorker, has been among the most influential, and controversial, figures in Iran-Iraq relations. Iraq
Gulf Cities Emerge As New Centers of Arab World While historic Arab capitals such as Cairo, Baghdad and Damascus are embroiled in civil strife, Gulf cities are powering ahead as new centers for Arab culture, education and business. United Arab Emirates
Anger, Confusion Cloud Iran's Adoption-Marriage Bill While Iran's parliament sought to make marriage illegal between parent and adoptive child, the powerful Guardian Council intervened, drawing unwanted attention to an unusual case. Iran
Iran Hints at Nuclear Concessions, Wants to See Endgame A deal may entail limited uranium enrichment on Iranian soil in return for stringent verification and an end to all nuclear-related sanctions, but time to take the first step is short. Iran
Fatwa allows sex changes in Iran, but stigma remains While homosexuals are not legally recognized in Iran, the government has subsidized surgery for those individuals wanting to live as the other sex. Iran